Almost 500 people have signed a petition against plans for new industrial units in King's Lynn.

Channel Islands-based developer Apex Platinum Investments wants to build 19 light industrial and storage units off Rollesby Road, in King's Lynn.

It says they will be 'low-key in appearance and compliment the character of the site', while landscaping will minimise their impact on nearby homes.

Some 480 have now signed an online petition against the scheme. People living on King's Avenue and Exton's Place, some of whose homes back onto the site, fear their peace and quiet will be ruined.

They also fear a wild green space on the edge of the Hardwick Industrial Estate will be lost. They say the site is home to deer, bats, owls and kingfishers.

Campaigners say there are already numerous empty units on the Hardwick Estate.

One person signing the petition on the 38degrees website writes: 'I grew up here as a kid, played in those woods most days. Fifty years my parents have lived there with this natural area backing onto their garden. What's the need now?

'I know there are still empty units on the estate. I still visit it's a natural resource that should be left for the wildlife and the residents.'

Another adds: 'As a former resident of King's Lynn I know this development is unnecessary as there are plenty of other areas in the town where this proposed development could take place without impacting on the ecology and wildlife in the area. This just another example of developers greed and pursuit of profit with no consideration to the impact on the local population and wildlife which is under constant threat.'

Another signatory says: 'Why ruin the natural landscape. There is wildlife. There is also plenty of empty units on the Hardwick industrial use them up rather than ruining the wildlife home.'

Norfolk Wildlife Trust says woodland on the site forms an 'ecological corridor' which should be retained.

But Natural England states: 'Based on the plans submitted, Natural England considers that the proposed development will not have significant adverse impacts on the River Nar Site of Special Scientific Interest and has no objection.

Councillors are expected to decide the application in the autumn.